This year’s Invitational Art Show at M State’s Fergus Falls campus is an event 50 years in the making. Fifty years of showcasing local artwork. Fifty years of supporting local artists. Fifty years of celebrating local creativity.

In this milestone year, as in every other year over the past five decades, the Invitational Art Show remains faithful to its foundational goals of lifting up local artists and connecting the community to art.

It also remains as representative as ever of the diverse skill sets, inspirations and preferred mediums of Fergus Falls area artists.

The 50th anniversary show opened at the Charles Beck Gallery on March 23 and features the works of more than 70 area artists. It will continue at the gallery through Saturday, May 4, with a public reception that day from 1-3 p.m. in Legacy Hall.

“Every year, we invite a wide array of area artists to participate in this show, and we had a wonderful response this time, for our 50th anniversary event,” says Lori Charest, M State Ceramics Instructor, Art Collection Curator and longtime Invitational Art Show organizer. “There are 151 pieces of art included in this year’s exhibition. Almost every medium imaginable is represented! It is well worth a trip to the college to see this lovely collection of work.”

Original paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, jewelry, collages, pottery, photography, wood turned objects and textiles are all on exhibit. 

Many of the items are available for sale to the public. The college does not charge an entry fee, nor take any commission on works sold.

In addition to the public reception on May 4, community members are invited to peruse the exhibition while they’re on campus for M State’s upcoming spring concert, Empty Bowls fundraiser, commencement ceremony or at any other time during the college’s normal hours of operation.

The Charles Beck Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no cost to view the exhibition, and all are welcome.